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America was built on freedom. However, is censoring certain sites just because they contain games fair to the students and does it strip them of their most basic right: freedom.

Recently the Peninsula School District has blocked a large majority of the game sites to prevent students from using them. The district would claim that the sites are distracting to students and that it disrupts the learning process.But are these sites truly a distraction?

Many students don’t abuse these sites and claim it’s not distracting to them. Junior and avid Mario player, Cole McVay said it “improved learning and focus,” because the availability of games made him strive to finish his work so he could reap the rewards of his computer game. The games are not distracting, a study published in PLos one showed, “All video games, both action and non-action games, improved cognitive function in the participants.“ Even McVay said, “With the availability of games I still managed to keep a 3.5 GPA. I noticed no GPA change when the sites became blocked.”

These game sites are often considered beneficial to students. Jude Endsley, another Junior and student athlete, said, “The sites help me relieve stress and relax when I finish my work. They help me break away from sports and actually improve my attitude.” Access to games gives students the ability to lower anxiety that’s built up over the school day.

Senior Burke Griffin said, “Games allow students to escape from 24/7 learning and other problems that might be going on in their life.” So is taking away this escape beneficial and truly fair to the students?

This censorship is unjust and while there will always be students who are distracted from work the district needs to look at the vast majority of students and the effects this blocking could have on them. Mr. Miranda, a Peninsula Economics teacher, even said, “I believe that responsible students should be rewarded for their on task behavior after they finish their work.” Basically even teachers can see the benefits of allowing games as rewards to their students.

These games are beneficial and the banning of these game sites is unjust. The district should endorse fun, not block it.

Griffin signed up for Outlook, because he took it last year and had a really good time. If he could write an article about anyone he would interview and write about Ken Griffey Jr because he is Griffin's idol ...